As the Lok Sabha election race gains traction, both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Opposition are intensifying their efforts to present a formidable challenge to each other. However, amidst the whirlwind of national politics, the current momentum appears to be favoring the ruling party.
Several key factors have contributed to the BJP’s surge, including the highly anticipated inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, a longstanding promise of the party. Additionally, the Supreme Court’s verdict affirming the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir has bolstered the BJP’s position and deflated criticism from the opposition.
A recent column in the UK’s Guardian has predicted a potential hat trick for the BJP in the upcoming elections, citing the party’s strong position in the current political landscape. Despite pockets of resistance in certain regions, particularly in south and east India, the national opposition appears fragmented and lacks cohesiveness.
The BJP’s momentum has been propelled by several factors, notably the Supreme Court’s verdict on the abrogation of Article 370. This decision, which was a key plank of the BJP’s platform in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, received validation from the apex court on December 11, 2023. The verdict served to strengthen the BJP’s stance and mitigate criticisms from opponents, ranging from issues such as demonetization and unemployment to the Pegasus controversy.
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Moreover, divisions within the INDIA bloc have also played a role in bolstering the BJP’s position. While some members, such as the Aam Aadmi Party, supported the abrogation of Article 370, others, like the Left, advocated for the reinstatement of the special status. The nuanced positions within the opposition have contributed to a lack of unified opposition against the BJP’s initiatives.
The inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has also served as a significant milestone for the BJP, fulfilling a longstanding promise and galvanizing voters across the country. Political strategists suggest that this achievement could translate into significant electoral gains for the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections, with projections indicating a potential 400-plus seats and a 50% vote share, a target outlined by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his tenure as party president.
